DMEXCO is one of the biggest digital marketing conferences in the world. Although it’s a great place to network, learn about new business and discover current trends, it’s also very full on – read what we we thought of last year’s DMEXCO. So, you need to be prepared.

But not to worry, we’re here to make sure you’re going to have a successful time at this year’s DMEXCO.

How to have a successful DMEXCO 2018

Decide on your objectives

You should decide what you want to get out of DMEXCO 2018 and this will help you plan your time.

Do you want to learn more about the industry and trends for the following year?

Before you go…

Brush up on your industry knowledge and research current trends. Expect discussions around AI, OTT, video innovation and voice programmatic.

Research which talks you want to go to by looking at DMEXCO’s conference guide. And make sure you leave enough time to get between the halls (at least 15 minutes!).

DMEXCO is huge, leave at least 15 minutes to get from one seminar to the other.

When you’re there…

Soak up all of your planned seminars and visit the Start-up Village, where upcoming businesses and creative entrepreneurs will be exhibiting.

Also, network with a range of industry players to give you varied opinions on trends.

Do you want to find new business?

Before you go…

Fill your calendar with meetings before you leave. Also, organise meeting places in advance, expo spaces and food halls are huge so be specific about where you’ll both be. Check out the floor plan here.

Perhaps most importantly, leverage your social media channels. You should take lots of photos, engage with other DMEXCO attendees and post about the talks you’ve attended and the people you’ve met. And of course, use hashtags… #DMEXCO18. Your marketing team will definitely thank you.

Getting around

So you’ve set up your meetings and planned the seminars, that’s all, right? Well, not exactly. You also have to plan how you’ll be getting around Cologne. You’ll not only be travelling with locals and tourists but thousands of other DMEXCO visitors, so make sure you take this into consideration.

There are a few ways to get around Cologne…

Train

Buy advance tickets from Deutsche Bahn. Or buy your ticket upon arrival, but be sure to validate your tickets (with machines on the platform) before travelling.

Taxi

Use the mytaxi app or be prepared for extensive queues. Although, if you are stuck in a queue, it could be a great opportunity to network.

Bus

Apps such as Citymapper are useful, they give you real-time updates to guide you on transport routes to your hotel.

…Or, simply walk!

Look after yourself

DMEXCO can be hectic, so don’t forget to look after yourself. Allow yourself time for short breaks and pace yourself. It’s likely you’re going to have long days and early mornings, don’t go too heavy on those free cocktails too early!

Take snacks and make the most out of free food and coffee on stands. Queuing up for food at peak times can take ages. Though if you do buy food there, make sure you take cash – not many stands accept card payment.

Essential items:

Chewing gum

This goes without saying really.

Water bottle

Stay hydrated!

Paracetamol

For that inevitable hangover.

A phone power pack and phone charger

Let’s be honest, we’d be lost without our phones.

An umbrella

Don’t get caught in the rain!

Comfy shoes

You’re going to be doing a lot of walking.

Enjoy it

Most importantly, have fun. You’ll be meeting lots of like-minded people, soaking up the culture, discovering new businesses and learning about upcoming tech innovations. Also, they’ll be plenty of weird and wonderful freebies to find. For example, the unusual freebies from last year ranged from bright orange flip flops and a high vis jacket to fidget spinners and shower caps. You never know what you’re going to see!

About Coull…

We’ve developed revolutionary in-video advertising, giving our partners the ability to add value to any video. Marketers can now serve contextually relevant ads within video to actively engaged audiences. And using our in-video formats, publishers can now easily monetise their video content in an exciting, user-friendly way.

At this year’s DMEXCO, we’re excited to discover the latest innovations in video and form new partnerships. Do you want to find out how we can add value for you? Or do you want to find out more about our in-video technology? Then let’s meet at DMEXCO!